SR0148 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0148 LRB102 17563 LAW 23226 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ken Hoffman of Chatham, who passed away on February 23, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Ken Hoffman was born in Springfield to Raymond William and Anna Matosich Hoffman on September 26, 1949; he attended Glenwood High School, where he played the tuba, the stand-up bass, and the electric guitar bass in the concert and jazz bands; he married Shelley Jeanne Hamilton in Springfield on June 7, 1969; and

WHEREAS, Ken Hoffman was the second of three generations of Hoffmans to own and operate Wiley Office Furniture, which is a long-standing Springfield business for the provision of contract furniture and interior design; he set a priority on customer service; and

WHEREAS, Ken Hoffman was passionate about music, both as a performer and a listener; he started his paid performing career as a bass guitarist in the Rubber Band, where he played at dances, bowling alleys, and Pisani's Beer Garden; he later belonged to the bands Strange Brew, Wrinkle, and the well-known Still Crazy; he started playing acoustic guitar with friends in the band W8 4 It, and they performed in backyards, on back porches, and in the family rooms of devoted fans; he purchased a Hofner violin style bass guitar in 1967; he was a devoted Paul McCartney fan and saw him in concert six times; and

WHEREAS, Ken Hoffman was committed to his family, friends, and community; he was a part of the founding committees for the Chatham Jaycee Sweet Corn Festival and Springfield First Night; he was actively involved in the United Way and co-chaired an annual fund drive with his wife; he served on the board of the St. John's Hospital Foundation for several years; he was a past president of the Sangamo Club and past commodore of the Island Bay Yacht Club; he was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham, where he loved to share kitchen duties for the annual pancake and sausage breakfast and mostaccioli dinner; and

WHEREAS, Ken Hoffman loved skiing, scuba diving, and hiking in the mountains and the desert; he enjoyed spending time in his pontoon boat on Lake Springfield with his trusty Chihuahua by his side; he was passionate about cars, especially his 1958 MGA and 1974 1/2 MGB, and he was always thrilled to receive a $5 award for "Best in Class" at the many car shows he attended; and

WHEREAS, Ken Hoffman was known for being meticulous in dress and for his architectural handwriting; he was a loyal friend, a good and kind man, and always gracious to all; he was funny and enjoyed teasing and always had a ready giggle; he liked to dance but was always a half beat off; he had a soft and open heart, believing in the best of everything and everyone; he will be missed by all who knew him; and

WHEREAS, Ken Hoffman was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Ken Hoffman is survived by his wife, Shelley; his son, Zachary (Hana) Hoffman; his grandchildren, Nick Hoffman and Alicia Hoffman; his brother, John (Susie) Hoffman; his sisters-in-law, Teresa (Mark) Pointer and Allison (Terry) Moore; and several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ken Hoffman and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ken Hoffman as an expression of our deepest sympathy.